Presentations – getting over your fears

I’m not going to try to pretend in this article that giving a presentation is anything other than a stressful experience. Even the most experienced and accomplished presenter may be in a total state of panic in the lead up to his or her presentation.

However, there are certain fears that can block us from even preparing our presentation – and these can be dealt with by good preparation. Let’s look at them.

1.You get so nervous that your mouth goes completely dry.

Well the obvious solution is to make sure that you have a glass of water near you. Even better, have a couple of glasses of water shortly before you start – but not enough to make you want to have a bathroom break during the presentation :-)

2.You cannot think of a word to say. Your mind is completely blank.

Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. If you can rehearse in the place where you are to give your presentation, then so much the better. Have a written copy of your speech close by, just in case. And  have a photo of somebody you love with you so that you can glance at it if you need reassurance.

3.The audience looks bored and people start conversations between themselves.

You need to be enthusiastic as a speaker. Your enthusiasm will convey itself to the audience. Good eye contact with the audience also helps. However, sometimes the audience is just not interested in too much detail on a particular point. Be prepared to cut your presentation if necessary.

4.Your visual aids don’t work properly.

This can be a nightmare for any speaker – and sometimes things happen which are outside of your control. However, make sure that you have mastered everything within your control. Make sure you know exactly how all the visual aids work well in advance of the presentation.

5.Members of the audience heckle during your presentation or are very aggressive during the questions

Well at least you’re getting a reaction ;-)    The one key rule is to be polite and courteous at all times. Ask the hecklers to raise their points in the questions after the presentation. Then deal with them courteously. Where possible, try to anticipate these objections before the presentation and prepare answers to them. If you are stuck for an answer, throw the question back at the rest of the audience. This will give you more time to formulate your response.

I think many presenters fear that one of these situations will arrive during their presentation. However, think back through the hundreds of presentations you have been to. How often have you seen one of these occur? Rarely, I imagine. Don’t let fear of these cloud your mind too much. But do take the preventative steps I have suggested.

To listen to a recording of this, press the PLAY button.

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150 Responses to Presentations – getting over your fears

  1. soufiane says:

    I am grateful to you Mr Brown

  2. anemarie says:

    Dear sir

    You’ve been recording useful information about presentations, but I have some problems keeping listening and concentrate myself during these presentations. Sometimes it happens just because of this way you talked about.
    Thank you.
    Best regards

  3. tuyet says:

    hello!
    I think your tips are fundamental principles for a good presentation.yes, they’re helpful.thank Mr Brown for that.

  4. thegrinder says:

    thank u mr. l ike that

  5. Paulo says:

    thanks

  6. isma says:

    thank you very much Mr Brown, this is opportunity to me to practice used your adviced.

  7. Bakhit says:

    Thanks alot Mr.Brown for the very impotant and useful tips.

  8. srkalvala says:

    thank you , really i learned to hoe to present a presentation in group of audience. thanks once again, i hope look forward for some more articles of this type.

  9. srkalvala says:

    thank you , really i learned to how to present a presentation in group of audience. thanks once again, i hope and look forward for some more articles of this type.

  10. Saad says:

    Thank you very much for your interesting article about presentations.
    I wish you will be in good health.

  11. Agathemai says:

    Dear Mr. Brown,

    Thanks for your mail relating to presentations. They are useful for me in my work.

    Best regards,
    Agathemai

  12. Sándor from Hungary says:

    I will try follow your advise and your speed

  13. Loreto from CHILE says:

    Thank you so much for allowing me to listen to real material !!
    I´m an English teacher willing for new sources of teaching .

  14. Shalee says:

    Dear Mr. Brown,
    Whenever I talk in front of a lot of people, I always feel lots of butterflies in my stomach. All my confidence fade away, my tongue begins to twist, and all. With your lessons and tips that I received and soon be received, I pray that it will slowly vanishes my fears and anxieties….. Thank you in advance and God Bless you always,

  15. Kim Phung says:

    Thank you so much for your really usefull lesson.

  16. Manimaran says:

    Thank u very much. ur suggestion are helpful and welcomed

  17. Vince says:

    hi,Mr.Brown
    I think this topic is useful for anyone getting a nervous motion when speaking in public.
    Thanks for sharing.

  18. Carlos Otávio says:

    I’m glad to receive your aid on how to deal with some setbacks in a presentation. I’m Really grateful. A zillion thanks!

  19. marwa says:

    Thanks Mr. , these are good steps to follow..

    it always happen with me when i have presentations spi,ll try to use these steps in my next presnentation ..
    ecially my mouth which get dry :P

    Thanks again ,, ba bye :)

  20. Felicita DR says:

    Hi!
    I’m glad to receive your tips.
    God Bless you Mr Brown!

  21. Ramia says:

    Dear Mr.and Mrs Brown
    i want to thank you for you help.
    you are like angels.
    thank you a million

  22. Ramia says:

    Dear Sir Brown
    i just want to thank you a lot and wish you a good day.

  23. Jorge Luis says:

    this was very helpful,thanks a lot!!!

  24. Hi Ms. Brown,

    I remember when I first began my public speaking, so all of this applies. Now after 35 years worth of public speaking this acts as a refresher course. I always find it best to make friendly eye contact with a few people first. Also, I have learned to step away from the podium and if at all possible walk into an aisle or right up to the friendly area of the room and continue to deliver the presentation. I use plenty of hand gestures that invite them into my heart as I am invited into their hearts. Beyond that I have fun making the audience comfortable.

    Thanks again with this timely piece.

  25. edna says:

    thank u so much… I really like listening to you… it is very helpful…

  26. edna says:

    i love it thank u so much…
    hope to hear from u soon…

  27. H?ng Vân says:

    Thank Mr Brown.I try to do what you writed in this topic.I think, this was helpful for me. Thanks for sharing.

  28. Putra says:

    Hi All,
    When I had my first presentation, it was looked like facing and and having a test of my confident. My first presentasion was carried on in front of a group of expert, professor and other person who I thought were more intelligence than me. Yet, I just share you, that learning your stuff is the most important. What is the reasons, fact, and relationship among our statement.
    Wish every our presentation would succeeded
    Cheers

  29. Patricia says:

    Hi!

    This piece of information has been effective in order to give effective presentation.
    I would like to know;How one can perk up the enthusiasm level.

  30. Zahid Hussain says:

    The more you have clear understanding of the topic, the more your presentation goes good.

  31. ale says:

    thank you so much…I look forward to receive your next documents.

  32. Ali says:

    Thank you very much for your kind efforts. I became one of your fans and hope that it will be continued in future. Wishing all the best

  33. rehab says:

    thank you thank you

    thank you

  34. Sakti says:

    It’s hard to say by my words, now I got little advance from this. Thanks your mail and kind help. I am always wait fresh your mail.

  35. Uyen says:

    Thank very much. thanks. May God bless you.

  36. Biola says:

    Dear Mr. Brown,
    Thank you so much for this wonderful effort in spreading the gospel of communicating (well?) in English. Being a Nigerian,English as the language of trade and politics is a vital tool especially to be able to communicate across the over 400no local languges and dialects. I particularly appreciate the way you present these lectures so systematically as one would teach a primary school child. Wonder if you couldoblige me with grammar exercises fit for undergraduates. Hope Caroline gets well soon. Please let her know we miss her.

  37. Chimgeekhuu says:

    Dear Mr, & Mrs Brown,

    Very jooyful friday evening to both of you. After my long day of duty at Uni, I’ve had my dinner an read the text about effective presentation. It’s ral handivap to me. Juniors in accounting course at our institute have to have presentation, me likewise will have it , too, sooner for our lecturers of ACC, ID, Finance Department. Whilst, I’m not good at it even though I’m teacher.
    These tips really have encouraged me. I’ll also photocopy it and retell my ss, next week.
    I whish Caroline healthiness, and fruitful inspiration when she back to her audio room for our sake.
    By the way, could you pleace send me regarding efficiency and cohesion of “General& Business english in today’s global adoption. That would be grateful if you write me some tips, asap, possible.

    Take care of yourselves

    Chimgee

  38. Moogii says:

    Thanks for sending me email.It was very interesting.

  39. Moogii says:

    Thank you very much for an email.It was very interesting.

  40. Ms Reema says:

    Dear Mr and Mrs Brown,
    Thanks a lot for the practical ,helpful ,insightful hints.As a trainer iv been able to raise the bar as far as the quality of a presentation is concerned and i owe a lot to you.I wish Caroline gets well soon and continues the good work.
    Ms Reema.

  41. samara says:

    thank u mr.Brown

  42. Ms. Duangchan says:

    Thank you very much indeed.

  43. Conchita says:

    Thank you so much!

    My mind goes blank when I present, but I rehearsed yesterday and today.

    Your tips reminded me I have done excellent in past presentations.

    I also teach effective presentations and I will support my students who helps on this.

    Keep in touch.

  44. jiji says:

    Thank you very much my teacher

  45. Cuc Phuong says:

    Well, I have been in such a situation that my mouth was completely dry and I couldn’t remember anything. That was my real experience. Now I sometimes feel very difficult to make a speech.
    Thank you very much.

  46. diabate says:

    thank you very much

    I face so many difficulties to make a speech in front of peoples. I think my probleme have nown a solution so thanks for your lessons.
    thanks

  47. HToan_Vietnam says:

    I’m so happy when having a chance to learn English from your web.It is very useful for me in doing presentations.thank you so much.

  48. claudia ramirez says:

    I completely agree, and I would add something else and is the importance to involve the audience, not only when we want, as speakers, to listen to questions but make the audience feel that what they live daily is related to what we are talking about. Most of the teachers who go to a conference want to listen to a strategy, or a solution to the nightmares they live usually live in the classroom. So, what important is speaker mission: to give some hope to those who listen to us.

  49. Divine says:

    Thanks Mr. Brown
    I have just one worry. Is there anything a person can do regularly to overcome fears or stage fright for good?

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